The Player's Proposal

23: The Church

Percy POV

Over winter break, Gabe dragged me back into the house. I had decided to spend the entire break in my trailer. However, Gabe found me one day and forced me to come back.

You could probably imagine how my winter break went.

Gabe was careful about not touching my face. He knew that people would get suspicious if I had visible bruises on my face. I can cover body bruises, but covering my face was harder. After the horrible gang beating last month, he was being more careful.

That didn't stop him from hitting me everywhere else. I couldn't go back to my trailer because I didn't have any more money saved for food.

If I wanted to eat, I had to live with Gabe. Also, there was another reason.

"Hey, boy, I need my pasta, and it better not be burned," Gabe scolded.

I silently nodded while biting my tongue. Blurting out my thoughts won't do any good. I was a pretty good cook, and that saved me from Gabe's wrath multiple times.

I quickly finished dinner and served it to him.

However, he forced me to sit down with him. I practically inhaled my pasta for two reasons: (1) I didn't want to be around Gabe, and (2) I had a lot of homework to finish. I hated school, but I promised my mom that I'd try my best.

"You were out of the house for weeks. I hope that you enjoyed your vacation," Gabe said gruffly.

"I was in the parking garage. It wasn't a vacation," I lied. It was a very nice break from him, and I cherished it.

"The medical bills are getting more costly."

My gaze snapped towards his face. Anytime that he talked about my mother was when he was discussing the financials. I didn't know even know how Gabe still had a job. However, his job was paying to keep my mom alive.

"I'm not so sure that paying for Sally's treatment is worth it anymore," he snapped. His smirk was so infuriating, but I held back. My hand clenched into a fist as my jaw hardened.

"It is worth it, Gabe. Mom's gonna get through this," I begged.

"You're not giving me a reason to continue. You won't even stay at home and serve me and my buddies. Why should I pay for your mother?"

"Because she's your wife," I muttered.

That comment earned a slap across the face. My left cheek stung as I gazed down at my empty plate. Empty was how I felt on the inside as well. My eyes stung with tears. He couldn't stop my mother's treatment. He couldn't.

Surprisingly, besides the slap, we were having a civil conversation for once.

"I'll do anything you want," I whispered. "I'll cook you food. I'll serve your buddies during your poker games. I'll be a punching bag when you're stressed. I'll do anything. Just please don't stop my mother's treatment. She needs it to live."

"You care about your stupid mother that much?"

My insides flared in anger. My nails dug into my palm as I restrained myself from shouting and punching him. No one insults my mother. No one.

"She'll always be the person that loves me the most. And, I'll always love her the most. More than anyone else," I expressed. I choked on my words as the memories flooded my mind.

"My mom is everything to me. I love her so much. She's my person."

Tears bristled in my eyes. I didn't want to lose her. I couldn't let Gabe pull the plug on her. I wasn't going to let him kill my only family.